Post-blockbuster Summer Movie Guide

Jeff Anderson as "Randal" and Brian O'Halloran as "Dante" in "Clerks II"

Image courtesy View Askew Productions

The original "Clerks" movie was made in 1994 for a little less than $30,000 and was financed with credit cards, money borrowed from family members, the sale of Kevin Smith's beloved comic book collection and an insurance settlement on a car that was damaged by a flood. The music rights to the soundtrack cost more than it cost to shoot and edit the film. To cut costs even further, the movie was filmed at a convenience store in which Kevin Smith worked when the store was closed.

The characters of Jay and Silent Bob have appeared in five of Smith's films: "Clerks," "Mallrats," "Chasing Amy," "Dogma" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

Originally, Smith had taken the parts of the script that he intended to be that of "Clerks II" and turned it into "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

After making "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," Smith had said that he wasn't going to do any more movies featuring those characters. He changed his mind after he worked on the 10-year anniversary disc for the original "Clerks."

Another factor in Smith's decision to make "Clerks II" was his promise to friend Jason Mewes, who is the "Jay" of "Jay and Silent Bob." Smith had promised Mewes that if he were able to stay off drugs then he would let him play "Jay" again.

To help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Kevin Smith decided to auction off a walk on spot in "Clerks II" and promised to match the amount that was paid. The winning bid was for $16,000, and the total amount donated to the Red Cross was $32,000.

In 2000, six years after the release of the original movie, ABC ran an animated version of "Clerks." Six episodes were created, but the show was cancelled after only two aired.

When Smith was attending film school in Vancouver, he met fellow student Scott Mosier. They decided that if Smith made a movie first, Mosier would direct, and vice versa. Mosier began working with Smith on "Clerks" and has been with him on every movie since then as a producer, including "Clerks II."

Kevin Smith's love of comics helped start his career. Now that career has given him an entre into writing mainstream comics, including "Daredevil," "Spider Man" and "Green Arrow."

Smith also owns and operates two comic book stores in New Jersey and Los Angeles, called Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash.

Smith's daughter, Harley Quinn, is named after a character on the animated "Batman" series. Look for plenty of comic book references in "Clerks II."

According to Smith, the character of Jay was inspired by the actor who played him: Jason Mewes. When Miramax gave Smith money to film a second movie that starred Jay, they wanted Mewes to audition for the role. Jason got the part.

"Clerks II" was recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival in France. When it was shown before a crowd at a late-night screening, it received an 8-minute standing ovation from those who attended.